For the Love of Men

From Toxic to a More Mindful Masculinity

By: Liz Plank

Narrated by: Liz Plank

Length: 10 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

This program is read by the author.

A nonfiction investigation into masculinity, For the Love of Men provides actionable steps for how to be a man in the modern world, while also exploring how being a man in the world has evolved.

In 2019, traditional masculinity is both rewarded and sanctioned. Men grow up being told that boys don’t cry and dolls are for girls (a newer phenomenon than you might realize - gendered toys came back in vogue as recently as the '80s). They learn they must hide their feelings and anxieties, that their masculinity must constantly be proven. They must be the breadwinners, they must be the romantic pursuers. This hasn’t been good for the culture at large: 99 percent of school shooters are male; men in fraternities are 300 percent (!) more likely to commit rape; a woman serving in uniform has a higher likelihood of being assaulted by a fellow soldier than to be killed by enemy fire.

In For the Love of Men, Liz offers a smart, insightful, and deeply researched guide for what we're all going to do about toxic masculinity. For both women looking to guide the men in their lives and men who want to do better and just don’t know how, For the Love of Men will lead the conversation on men's issues in a society where so much is changing, but gender roles have remained strangely stagnant.

What are we going to do about men? Liz Plank has the answer. And it has the possibility to change the world for men and women alike.

©2019 Liz Plank (P)2019 Macmillan Audio

PLEASE READ THIS

Y’all. This is it. This is everything I need as a person who longs to exist in a world where everybody gets to be who they are. This is a must read for everyone. Liz Plank - I tip my hat my gal 💛 thank you for writing this book.

Reality shaking

Everyone who is a man, loves a man, or plans to love a man will greatly benefit from reading this book. The author also does a good job of bringing her personality out in the reading of the book.

A must read!

Fantastic work on addressing what many avoid. It was great to listen directly from the author, this book is highly recommended.

Powerful and Important - Now more than Ever

I wish I could put a copy of this book into every person’s hands. Liz Plank does a phenomenal job analyzing what has long been the source of violence and mass destruction in our world: the societal pressure for men to conform to a toxic version of masculinity. This book challenges what we have been taught to deem “normal” across gender and invites us all to think deeper into what being a man truly means, or what being a man could mean if men had the same freedoms that women have to express themselves across a wide social and emotional spectrum. This book is not anti-men; this book examines what our world could look like if men had the permission to express themselves freely and most importantly, love themselves for who they are.

10/10

Boy mom trying to raise a good man. & this book gives the best insight on what that means to actually do so.

Gave Me Hope

Lately, I have been working through examining societal pressures/practices that I have felt uncomfortable with, injured by or stifled by and my resulting emotions. This book was a perfect accompaniment to this journey as it showcases a clear picture of the various ways toxic masculinity through the structures of patriarchy/white supremacy/colonization has harmed everyone, but how men, in particular, are effected.

Liz Plank does an excellent job balancing the ways men uphold these systems to their simultaneous benefit and detriment, while giving hope (and permission) to dream for a future where a healthy masculinity can one day be realized. She doesn’t state what that looks like beyond overarching themes/statements (I believe on purpose) and I appreciate that as it allows us, as the reader, to contemplate what that looks like, as well as how we can get there; engaging us in dreaming of a future equitable for all and allowing us to take ownership in creating it.

I highly recommend this book for anyone and everyone so we can confront how we have been conditioned to uphold these problematic mindsets and dynamics in our daily lives. Please remember that while reflection is key: so is action.

On a side note: if anyone would like to delve into great topics that engage in the same vein of subject matters I also recommend “The Man Enough” podcast that Liz is a co-host of.

Every man needs this class

Liz Plank dissects the toxicity of traditional masculinity ideology and how it exists in every corner of our culture and lays out a vision of awareness and action. We teach young men dominance over empathy and excuse inappropriate behavior with "boys will be boys". Each and every one of us should read this book and do something to make this world a more welcoming and safe society for all. Thank you Liz, your perspective is always a revelation.

Mind Shifting and World Changing

I didn’t know what to expect when I started listening to this book. I didn’t want it to somehow turn extreme feminist or on the other hand over look what women have gone through and are going through. Even though preconceived fears going into this book have been transformed. Everything I thought I knew about gender inequality was thrown out the window. I didn’t realize how deep into our culture gender inequality has always been. As Liz puts it “gender is made up”. The weight of that statement is heavy once you read/listen and understand. Thank you Liz Plank for writing this book!!! I feel empowered and also feel I know how to empower those around me with this knowledge.

All genders should read this

Wow! I have been harboring a ton of animosity towards men, the patriarchy and how toxic masculinity has been upheld. This book gave me such an eye opening perspective to the ways men are harmed by these same systems society upholds. Liz does a fantastic job citing which research she used to support her work and kept me engaged throughout. Would absolutely recommend this to all readers!

A Good Start

Similar to Sam Keen, this book really tries to compassionately hold men accountable for their choices... It also tries to give men a new way to think about what masculinity actually could look like... i am certain they mean well but until I see an actual transfer of the world off my proverbial shoulders and on to those who "know better" conjecture is all this is.... i.e. This author has to stop The Proud Boys.